System of column headings



April 14, 1931. H. R. WILSON 1,301,031

SYSTEM OF COLUMN HEADINGS Filed Oct. 20, 1930 BIETHSTEEL ELAPTO gmwmoR 55 x ELQ :1 0M.

8 U.S.STEEL .STANDNJ.

Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES HERBERT n. WILSON, or 'ronnno, omo

SYSTEM or coLumv nmmnes Application filed October 20,3193Q. Serial No. 48 9,'q61.

This invention relates to a system of col umn headings intended primarily for use in connection with stock quotation boards. In order that the quotations of a large number of diiierent stocks may be posted in as small space as practicable, with a separate column for each individual stock, the columns are necessarily narrow, so that there is barely room at the top of each one to receive the ticker symbol of the stock quoted therein.

Inasmuch as many people are unfamiliar with these ticker symbols, it is a common practice to print the full name of the stock, or a readily recognized abbreviation of the 1 same, in a vertical or diagonal line at the head of the column. These names however, because of their position, are rather dilficult to read.

l/Vith the above conditions in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system of detachable column headings so arranged that the names of the stocks, as well as the ticker symbols, may appear in horizontal lines disposed centrally across the heads of the respective columns. Preferably, all of the ticker symbols are arranged successively in the same horizontal line while the names appear alternately above and below the same. Plates bearing the designations for the respective columns are arranged alternately in symmetrical relation to the horizontal center line of the space for headings and are secured by screws or similar fasteners placed at the inside corners of the plates, in such a manner that the head of each fastener engages and acts as a retainer for two consecutive plates.

The invention will be more particularly explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of a stock quotation board, with the invention shown in connection therewith.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings, the stock quotation board 3 is divided by vertical lines 4; into a series of columns in the usual manner. A series of plates are arranged at the top of the board and have printed thereon the designations for the respective columns. Each of these plates includes a substantially square or rectangular shank 6 and a horizontall extended cross-head 5 integral therewith. These plates are adapted to be arranged, as shownin Figure, -1,with the shanks 6 arranged successivelyin a horizon tal row, eachshank beingcoextensive with the'top of the column to which itpertains, whileeach head 5 extends equal distances horizontally in each direction from the center line of the'column. In the arrangement shown, the heads 5 of the plates are arranged alternately above and below the shanks so that each head extends horizontally for a distance equal to twice the width of the column.

For 'detachably securing the plates to the board, a series of sockets 7 are threaded into or otherwisesecured in the'board 3 at the corners of the respective shanks and'a screw 8 or similar fastening device is secured in each socket so that the head of such fastener overlies and retains the contiguous corners of the adjoining shanks. By this means, the plates arexsecurely heldbut may easily be changed whenever it is desired to change the list of stocks to be quoted.

It will be'seen thatfeach shank is wide enough to receive the ticker symbol of any stock which'may be quoted in the column corresponding thereto and the head connected with the shank is long enough so that the common name of the stock or a readily recognized abbreviation thereof may be. printed horizontally on the head of the plate which is disposed horizontally across the top of the column.

While I have shown and decsribed a practical form in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be. understood that the invention includes all such modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A system of column headings comprising a plate for each column, each plate having a shank coextensive with the upper end of the column and bearing on its face a symbolic designation, a horizontally extended head integral with the shank and bearing horizontal- 1y on its face a more complete designation corresponding to the respective symbolic designation, said head and the designation thereon'being centered with respect to the center line of the column, said shanks being in a horizontal row along the tops of the columnsv and, said heads being arranged alternatelyaboveandlbelow the shanks V a 2. A system of column headings com rising a plate for each column, each plate avof the column and bearing on its f aoe a symbolic designation, a horizontally extended head integral with the. shankmand bearing horizontally on its face amore' complete desi a n q nr p d e t he -:r sne v srmbolic designation, saidhead andgthedesignation thereon being centered'with} respectto the center line of the column,-, saidvr-shanks e g in a? horizontal Q alon he p -0 the columns and said he'adsbeing' arranged alternately above 4 and below the shanksg and fastening elements at the corners nof the respective shanks, I each fastening element. hav: ing a retaining head overlying, the contigne ous corner portionsgof the adjoining shiankss 3. The combination;With aaboard marked a off in columns, of a plate. at'the uppen end of: each column and, having a, shank J coextensivewith said upper, en'dLf-or receiving asy-rn bolic designation,-v a head integral; with the shank and extending equal distanceshori-l z ontally at each side ofthe receiving a: more completedesignatiom; saidshanks;

' be ng in a'horizontal rowqalong the tops ofthe columns with; therespective heads are-- ranged alternately" above and. below the shanks, sockets secured i nl thebo ardib eneathe y adjoining corners oftheshanks, and-retaining elements engagingrsaid sockets and liaving retaining heads,-eaeh of saidret'aining'heads overlying-contiguous cor-nen portions of ad; ]01I11I1g shanks.

' namerto'. this specification a HERBERT R; WIL

mg a shank coextensive with. the upper-end 

